A cycle ride to Pocklington
On the way home beside the road between Burnby and Londesborough
Diary entry: Mrs Bailey was visiting a friend today so I stretched a pass out and sneaked in a 60-mile ride to Pocklington. The last time I rode there I got a lift back from Patrick after the loop we rode that day. I hadn't intended to cycle so far, and felt that I had to do two hours of gardening chores as penance when I got home. An enjoyable ride in very warm – a bit too warm for me – August sunshine.
I didn't set off until 10.15am and headed roughly north from Cottingham, not sure where I would go, but keen to put miles between myself and home. I thought Lund would make a nice lunch stop, but I arrived just after 11.30 and it was clear the pub there wouldn't be opening today. Out west towards Warter, along the B1246, a first for me (and the last: before a rewarding descent towards Kilnwick Percy I found myself unexpectedly facing a 12% incline – on a gravelly bend – with a double decker bus held up behind me). The World Peace Cafe only opens between Wednesday and Sunday, I now know. And to visit the cafe at Burnby Hall Gardens, it seems, is £4.95 just to get in to the grounds, and cycles are not allowed! So back to Pocklington for a pricey deli lunch at a table outside in scorching sunshine. Perversely, I almost didn't bother to get my water bottle filled up before heading towards Market Weighton via Burnby and Londesborough.
I had needed something to eat after feeling a little flat several miles in to the ride. I hadn't eaten much since a lunch yesterday that didn't agree with me. I've been trying to stay on the large chainwheel as much as possible lately, especially now I am wearing SPD SL cleats that seem to help. Except that my feet have got painfully hot towards the end of the last two rides I've worn them. Today I took my shoes off and poured water from my bottle on the soles of my feet. I couldn't get up Trundlegate without using the inner chain ring on my triple chainset. It's only a category 5 hill according to MapMyRide.com, but I doubt whether I will be able to get up it on a 39T chain ring ever again.
I don't know why, but this townie enjoys seeing agricultural scenes like those at the top of this post when I'm out and about. A good ride today.
Nice photo Chris
When I clicked the MapMyRide buttons...
Is there an easy way visitors can view (for example) the full screen or elevation?
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:08 am
The photo of the hay bales under an almost-cloudless sky speaks of late summer – it will be gone all too soon.
August 23rd, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Pocklington and Warter? Was this a cycle with a dermatological bent or am I being rash??
I always like those big sky pictures!
I don't believe in forcing gears, Chris. Do what your legs tell you is the ancient advice!
August 23rd, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Oops! I've made the route 'Public' now. I use the new version of MapMyRide.com to create the route (it's so much quicker and less flaky), but I've been logging in to the old (Classic) version to get the HTML for the map you see above. A minute ago I found how to do it in the new version, but it's the same – Classic – version you get anyway.
Click on "VIEW ELEVATION" and it should be all right now. The two category 5 climbs are that 'B' road after Warter and, on the way home, Trundlegate.
Yes, summer is nearly gone. I'm down to my last two weeks of holidays before going back to work
It's funny, you – or at least I – don't think about the names of such local places I've simply accepted! It's a bit like 'Sewerby' that you pointed out, Garry. I used to think of Warter as being related to 'water' rather than 'wart'.
I don't know where Warter gets its name from, but Wikipedia has an interesting history of Pocklington.
Oh, I wasn't forcing the gears, just myself. A bit. I aim to keep up a decent cadence, and change down if I need to.
August 23rd, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Nice pic – those bales look almost like sculptures! I love watching the different agricultural operations as I pedal by. I tend to cycle the same roads so I get to see the whole sequence – ploughing, sowing, crops getting bigger and bigger, harvesting, ploughing, sowing etc. I find it very satisfying.
August 24th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Summer is indeed speeding past.... I am trying to make the most of what is left of it, but here its all ready feeling cooler and Autumnal, the big chestnuts being the first to turn red.
Love that top picture Chris, the perspective is very good, even the clouds look like they are in the mood to show emotion and look arty. I wish I could get such good pics, but on my wee digital number its not likely.
Its always a big disappointment when a place you had in your head to eat at, is shut when you arrive.... Your poor tootsies sound like they might be suffering from 'hot foot' caused by pressure. Mine get it a bit, but not enough to stop me riding, it can be very painful and I understand its caused by irritation to nerves caused by your foot swelling.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:30 am